William George Christian, 61, of Madisonville, Ky. passed away at 12:30 a.m. Saturday, December 19, 2009, at his home.

He was born January 24, 1948, in Hopkins County, Ky. to the late William Fay Christian and Amanda Gipson Christian. He was a retired coal miner with Peabody-Austin Surface Mine and was a retired Boilermaker. He was a U.S. Army veteran and was a Mason. He was an avid fisherman and was of the Methodist faith.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by two sisters, Pauline Thomas and Susan Skimmihorn.

He is survived by his wife, Cherrie Christian; two sons, David Christian and Derrick Christian both of Madisonville; three sisters, Brenda Simms of Madisonville, Archie Butler of Eldorado, Ill., Sheila Hughes of Providence, Ky.; two brothers, Floyd Christian of Eldorado, Ill. and Anthony Christian of Marion, Ky.; two grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday December 23, 2009 in the chapel of Harris Funeral Home in Madisonville with Rev. Johnny Davis officiating. Burial will be in Zion Brick Church Cemetery in Slaughters, Ky. Military rites will be performed graveside by 101st Airborne Division Ft. Campbell and Hopkins County Honor Guard.

Pallbearers will be Erik Wilson, Jake McKnight, Derrick Christian, Will Laffoon, Michael Wisotzkey and Eric Matheny.

Friends may call from 10 a.m. until service time Wednesday at Harris Funeral Home.